Saturday, October 27, 2012

21st century learning is evolving as an ecosystem of learning driven by the advent of global, internet connections.English is fast becoming the personal and public webmaster of 21st century learning.English could be "the stargate" to higher order thinking.

And so the whole "texture" of English as a teaching subject is changing.
The boundaries are moving, even dissolving.
English may/could/can integrate and connect subjects AND shape that inter-curricular ideal we crave in the 21st century.

If we spend our whole lives in the silo of a single discipline, we cannot develop the imaginative skills to connect the dots or to anticipate where the next invention, and probable source of economic value, will come from. - OECDThe Case for 21st Century Learning- Andreas Schleicher

Profile of English Years 7-12 Overview*developing personal micro skills(appreciating and practising quality techniques) as a reader, writer, listener, speaker and viewer
NOTE: Those who bewail students' declining grammar skills can be accommodated here.
Demoted rote learning practices can metamorphose into more dignified "recognition" learning.
I find that comparing writing styles (poor and quality esp in media articles) cultivates the students' understanding of what works well and what doesn't.
Hopefully they would like to mirror the quality version.*developing personal macro skills (appreciating and practising associations and connotations) as a reader, writer, listener, speaker and viewerDetails
*developing imaginative, expository, communicative and evaluative capabilities and skills
*developing the ability to use language to shape and represent both personal growth and a world understanding
*developing the ability to apply language to cross-curricular learnings and to shape inter-curricular understandings

* developing problem-solving and predicting skills

*developing a knowledge of cultural heritage and a vision for cultural future

English in the Senior Years
In Australia, senior high school years identify Literature as a "sub-heading" of the subject English.
While English broadly embraces the study of:
*media - including newspapers and online texts + includes practising the skills of annotation
*modern novels + drama + poetry - character and theme studies
*non-fiction texts
*creative responses to prompts

To continue quoting Andreas Schleicher of the OECD Education Directorate:The knowledge world is no longer divided between specialists and generalists. A new group-let's call them “versatilists”-has emerged. They apply depth of skill to a progressively widening scope of situations and experiences, gaining new competencies, building relationships and assuming new roles.
+
NOTE - 26.4.13
GOOGLE DOCS VOICE COMMENTS

Is English leading the way to meet this "inter-connecting", "shapeshifting" challenge of the 21st century?

Saturday, October 20, 2012

I have discovered the free website bubbl.us
This website lets you brainstorm and create mind maps online and they can be saved on your own computer as a jpg or saved on the website for later editing.

Of course, this versatile tool could be utilised for any brainstorm of any topic in any subject.

But it is particularly useful for encouraging students to develop a higher order of thinking - moving from concrete concepts through an awareness of the senses to abstract concepts.

Using the contrasting ideas of dark and light, I have demonstrated above what can be developed.
The design is very adaptable.
*The bubbles can be moved around.
*Connecting lines (labelled) can be placed where needed.
"Colours may add a new dimension of association of ideas.

And the final result could be part of a powerpoint revision summary of a topic.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Made with the 3D Postcard Generator
(Click the link above to try it out! And it's free!)
The bird is one of many that flocks to the Coolart wetlands at Somers on the Mornington Peninsu;la.

In my teaching career, I have noticed that some high school students, in particular, claim that they are not creative.
This particularly applies to students who excel in Mathematics and Science.

But when they are offered the opportunity to respond to a visual image, with a nifty caption or message,
often the result belies their claims.

This postcard generator is easy to use for all age ranges.

10 photos are available on the website, but there's the opportunity for students to convert their own photos into these postcard beauties.
A wide range of colour schemes are available and the message is formatted for premium presentation. Students just need to fill in the blank lines.

How could the generator be used in the classroom?English- message to a character in a novel or play- Christmas or birthday message to another student- introduction to analysis of ideas - what is significant in the photo History- message to a historical characterSocial Studies- environmental messageWhat would the generator identify?- association of ideas- analysis of an image- higher order thinking beyond description

Friday, October 5, 2012

Internationally, World Teachers' Day is celebrated on the first Friday in October.
However, as this is usually during the Australian school holidays, Australia celebrates the day on the last Friday in October of each year.
This year it will be celebrated on Friday 26th October in Australia.

So if you blog,
take some time out,
let your imagination run free from lessons and reports
and prepare for the great annual Willow Manor Ball on Sunday October 28.
Tess Kincaid's post details are HERE!
It's so much fun!

Tess Kincaid orchestrates the virtual Willow Manor Ball each year.
(My post example on the Willow Manor Ball 2010.)
It has been a major internet event for 4 years.

Extract from John Hayes' interview with Tess Kincaid: Tess Kincaid aka “Willow” is a self-proclaimed magpie, poet, Hoosier by birth, who lives in small town Ohio at Willow Manor, a ramshackle limestone house on the banks of the Scioto River, with her husband and resident ghosts.

Students can't have all the fun.
Sometimes teachers need to do a little role playing and dreaming too.
Great for the spirit!

Try it!

P.S. If you are anything like me, you are probably thinking how you could orchestrate a virtual, annual ball for the students too.
A great way to explore a different perspective of role playing.
Fakebook comes to mind as a possible platform!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Last semester, I informed Year 9 Geography students that the next topic would be "pollution.".The response was GROAN!... MOAN!... CONTORTED FACES!They complained that this topic had been visited in primary school.But we had a surprise for them!THEY would be doing the teaching!

Their task required research of a pollution topic + filming.
The criteria appears below, but we allowed a little creative flair - because that could demonstrate an understanding of the research.

CRITERIA

Identified elements of a healthy Australian ecosystem

Clearly showed the effects of pollutants on an Australian ecosystem

Explained in detail what can be done to remedy a polluted
ecosystem

Presentation is detailed, demonstrating a clear
understanding of research

Documentary/short film is appropriately edited containing
only important/relevant information

Evidence of relevant note-taking and appropriate planning

Used variety of resources and inclusion of bibliography

The groans transformed into enthusiasm.

Many of the class extroverts took the opportunity to add a little personal drama - such as Nicole's above.

Each video required presentation to the class.

In the preparation stage, I ensured that each student covered a different perspective of pollution.

Was the pollution topic successful?

At the end of each video screening, the creator faced class questions.

Some meaty discussion followed.(Criteria - Explained in detail what can be done to remedy a polluted ecosystem)

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